Fox urges migration talks, U.S. message mixed

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | November 27, 2002 | SUSAN FERRISS

[sarcasm]

MEXICO CITY -- President Vicente Fox told Bush administration officials Tuesday it was "indispensable" to revive talks toward a comprehensive migration accord between Mexico and the United States.

After a two-day meeting between U.S. and Mexican officials in Mexico City, however, Secretary of State Colin Powell offered mixed messages on migration, explaining that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have set back negotiations.

"There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that this is a priority for President Bush, just as it is a priority for President Fox, and that we're doing everything we can to move forward. But we have to be realistic about the changes that have occurred over the last 14 months," Powell said at a closing press conference on Tuesday of the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission

"I want to assure the Mexican people that (migration) is not off our agenda," Powell added.

Fox is under pressure at home to show results from his overtures to the United States to jointly develop an accord. He has pushed for legal status for some of the estimated 3 million or more undocumented Mexicans working in the United States, and a new program for temporary work visas.

Fox and Bush met in Guanajuato, Mexico, in early 2001, and made a commitment to address illegal migration, a phenomenon both presidents agreed boosted the U.S. economy but resulted in too many deaths of Mexicans at the border.

"In Guanajuato, we reached an extraordinary conceptual advance on this theme, although the tragic events of Sept. 11 have required making a priority of security themes and postponing solutions to other important themes on the bilateral agenda," Fox said. "Now it's indispensable to retake this spirit of Guanajuato and advance the establishment of a framework that regulates and give some order to the migration phenomenon between both countries."

In a taped video message to Fox and cabinet members, Bush briefly addressed migration.

"U.S. migration policies must treat Mexican men, women and children with respect and dignity," he said. "Our cabinet officials continue to work together on creative new policies, so that immigration is legal, orderly and safe."

Bush also thanked Mexico for its support on a recent United Nations Security Council resolution to hold Iraq accountable for allowing weapons inspections. And he noted that the new U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza, is one of his "most trusted amigos."

On Tuesday, Powell said that he and his counterpart Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda did not discuss a timetable for a migration agreement.

"It's not something we have to finish before or after anyone's administration," Powell said.

Negotiations now face new complexities, Powell said, because the United States has a new Homeland Security Department and new congressional leadership.

But Powell said that within the next six months to a year Mexico and the United States will develop a list of priorities on migration and decide which can be addressed more easily.

Powell said one of the "challenges in the years ahead" will be "to find a way to regularize this (undocumented Mexican) population, so they can be fully integrated into our society, or put in a situation where they can return to Mexico and come back to the United States."

During their meeting, officials of both countries talked about a possible farm crisis in Mexico and the large water debt that Mexico owes the United States along the Rio Grande River. No details on the water talks were released.

Officials also discussed $25 million earmarked for increasing the number of special lanes to help speed the flow of goods and people moving between the U.S.-Mexico border.

Talks about the farm issue centered on the elimination in January of tariffs on most farm products exchanged between the United States and Mexico, a change mandated by the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.

Castaneda said Tuesday Mexican officials are analyzing the impact of tariff elimination, and could invoke special safeguards for certain products -- like chicken or pork -- if imports endanger farmers too much.

U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture J.B. Penn, speaking to U.S. reporters Monday, said the United States is "eager" to work with Mexico to spur rural development and alternatives for Mexican farmers who can't compete.

He also said many U.S. farm companies back the idea of a migration accord.

"It's my sense," Penn said, "that there is a distinct labor shortage at a given price in the U.S. farming and food industry, and that the industry would like to see a legal, stable, reasonably priced labor supply. They would like to see some accommodation reached between the two governments that would make that happen."

[skeeter]

I have the distinct impression the anti illegal immigration argument is picking up momentum.

I hope our 'representatives' are listening.

[glc1173@aol.com]

Bush can "unmix" his message - or lose the 2004 election, and watch the whole GOP abandoned by Red Nation.

[F16Fighter]

"Bush can "unmix" his message - or lose the 2004 election, and watch the whole GOP abandoned by Red Nation."

This is a very emotional and volatile issue for those of us for whom feel American sovereignty itself is at stake. Either Dubya and his handlers pull the plug on legitimizing illegal invaders OR face a sizable blacklash.

There really is NO compromise on this issue.

[RLK]

Bush can "unmix" his message - or lose the 2004 election, and watch the whole GOP abandoned by Red Nation.

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If you'll notice, Bush lives in a kind of daze. Such things do not affect him.